Expansible bracelet



Nov. I3, 1951 C, M BRYZEK 2,575,207A

EXPANSIBLE BRACELET Filed Sept. 15, 1949 Vig/#away atented Nov. 1 3, L1. 951x BRA-Cms vCarl M. Chicago, Ill.;- .asvsignor to Cerc Iteanieif CoipChicago, Ill., a copartnershipv Appificaiiq1i-septister 15, isis, seiiaiNo. 1 15,933i

This invention relates tocertain new and useful improvements in expansible bracelet 'andhas for its principal object the provision ofan improved construction which will be' highly eicient in use and economical in manufacture. Y,

Anotheijand equally important object of the invention is the provision of asimpliedfandimproved construction for connecting together in band formation a plurality of ellipsoidal links in a manner such that the nal construction will result in a band having a maximum flexibility and strength without minimizing in any respect the ornamental and appealing appearance of the band.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of my improved wrist watch band;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the same showing the band in expanded condition;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the band, showing the same in an arcuately expanded condition;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end View of the bottom or back side of the band;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary exaggerated edge View of the band taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary exaggerated edge view of the band taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

The several objects of my invention are capable of being accomplished by the preferred form of construction hereinafter described.

In this connection, my improved and simplified wrist watch band comprises a plurality of open sided links I0. These links I may be formed of such material as will best serve the purpose and may be formed in different ways. For example, each link may be cut from a tube and, after being severed from the tube, formed ellipsoidal in cross section; or, if desired, each link may be a stamping and then formed ellipsoidal in cross section with the edges abutting, as at II (Fig. a point between the opposite bends of the link.

These several links, whether formed from a stamping or from a tubing, are connected together in offset relation with respect to each other byla spring wire I2, upon which the links are laced. This wire I2 is reversely bent to provide the adjacent supporting limbs I3, which extend transversely through the links I0.

Each of the links ofthe outer row I4 is provided between the ends thereof with a crimp l5 forming a projection which engages the adja- 1 claim. (ci. ca -5)A cent sectionlt` of the wire to lock Athis outer row -,I4"o"f'the"links upon the wire I2. For purposes o'f uniformity, the'opposite row II of the links I0 may likewise be provided with such a crimp. j The end limbs I8 ofthe wire I2 are arranged beneath `clips I9 and serve to vprevent, unlacing of theA links from the wire. These clips may be of any lapproved construction providing adjacent knuckles 26 disposed between adjacent links I0, with the limb of the Wire adjacent the outer limb I8 laced through these links and through the knuckles 20, thus to provide a connection between the links I0 and the clips I 9,

In Fig. 2, I have fragmentarily illustrated the band in longitudinal expansion. In this expanded condition it will be particularly noted that the bi-ght portions 2l of each of the links serve to limit the expansion of adjacent limbs of the wire. This results from the fact that these bight portions 2l, when the band is expanded longitudinally to its maximum position, will engage the adjacent limbs and thereby prevent longitudinal expansion of the band beyond this maximum point of expansion. 'I'his prevents rupturing of the band due to excessive expansion. It also serves to retain the band in shape, preventing the links from being bent out of shape due to over-expansion. It also serves to add strength to the band.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated the band expanded arcuately or in a curved direction from its longitudinal length, as would result when one removes the band from the wrist. In such view, it will be noted that, as in the case of longitudinal expansion, the links cooperate to limit the degree of expansion and yet aord sufficient expansion to permit convenient and ready removal of the band from the Wrist.

It is important to note that the simplified and improved construction of my wrist watch band results in a band which may be expanded arcuately, that is, in a curved direction from its longitudinal length, as well as longitudinally and that in either case expanding the band out of shape or otherwise distorting the same is prevented by the links in their relationship to the wire.

Such wire is preferably formed of spring material so that the limbs provided by reversely bending the wire will always return to their normal position after expansion.

While I have indicated that one or both of the outer rows of links are swaged to provide a uniform design throughout the entire band. This swaging of the links may be on the back and front sides of the band or on one side alone.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from thev Spirit of the invention. I, therefore. do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and 'modifications as come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what fI claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A flexible expansible wrist Watch band include ing a band portion comprising a. plurality of open sided links arranged in parallel abutting rows. said rows being offset relative to eachother, a resilient wire reversely bent to provide spaced .parallelly extending limbs, said limbs being laced transversely through the links 4for connecting said links in band formation, said limbs in the -contracted position being spaced .from the ends of said links to provide expansion in a longitudinal direction as well as laterally from said longitudinal direction, said limbs in the contracted position yieldably retaining said links in end abutment withrespeot to each other, one of the outer rows of links having the wire laced through one edge of the open sided links and reversely bent through -tne other edge of said links, the links of said outer row being crimped to provide an anchor between the links of said outer row and the adj acent porjtions of the wire to retain said outer row of links REFERENCES CITED The fiel-lowing references are of ,record in the 111e QI .this patent:

STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 142,841 sept-16,1873 A13192996 Mason i.- Feb. n', 19,31 

